Article handling system

Abstract

An article handling system for trucks or tractor-drawn trailers which will deliver an article, such as a palletized load, to the rear opening of the truck from a designated position thereon without having to remove other containers from the truck.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination with a vehicle having a load supporting floor, an article handling system comprising a plurality of loads of generally rectangular configuration in horizontal cross-section arranged in two closely adjacent longitudinal rows and substantially covering the entire floor area of said vehicle with the exception of at least one void area approximately the size of the area covered by one load, means supporting said loads for movement on said floor, first drive means for shifting the loads in said rows in longitudinal directions, second drive means for shifting said loads in directions transverse to said longitudinal directions, said longitudinal and transverse movements being possible through utilization of said void area, said longitudinal drive means comprising a first reversible power source, a first flexible elongated element attached to said first power source means for movement in reversible directions, a first pair of load engaging drive detents attached to said flexible elongated element, one for each longitudinal row, underlying said loads and drivingly engaged therewith for moving said loads through said longitudinal rows upon actuation of said power means, said second drive means comprising a second reversible, power source, a second flexible elongated element attached to said second power source for movement in reversible directions, a second pair of load engaging drive detents attached to said second flexible elongated element, one at each end of said rows and each movable transversely of said rows, whereby upon actuation of said second power source a load can be moved from one longitudinal row to the other longitudinal row, and means for selectively actuating said first and second drive means to intermittently move said loads through a rectangular path on said floor. 
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second power sources comprise double-acting fluid actuated piston-cylinder assemblies. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1 and including trackways, and wherein said pairs of drive detents are slidably received in said trackways. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said loads for movement on said floor comprise inverted casters attached to said floor. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 4 and including trays supported on said casters, said trays receiving and supporting said loads. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said trays are provided with means for operable engagement with said drive detents. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 6 and including guide rails mounted on said vehicle for restraining said trays against vertical movement off of said casters. 
     
     
       8. In combination with a vehicle having a load supporting floor, an article handling system comprising a plurality of loads of generally rectangular configuration in horizontal cross-section arranged in two closely adjacent longitudinal rows and substantially covering the entire floor area of said vehicle with the exception of at least one void area approximately the size of the area covered by one load, means supporting said loads for movement on said floor, first drive means for shifting the loads in one longitudinal direction in one of said rows and one transverse direction between rows, second drive means for shifting said loads in the opposite longitudinal direction in the other of said rows and the opposite transverse direction between rows, said longitudinal and transverse movement being possible through utilization of said void area, said first drive means comprising a first reversible power source, a first flexible elongated element attached to said first power source for movement in reversible directions, a first pair of load engaging drive detents attached to said first flexible element, one of said first pair underlying said loads in said one longitudinal row for moving said loads therein in said one longitudinal direction, the other of said first pair mounted at one end of said rows for moving said loads in said one transverse direction, said second drive means comprising a second reversible, power source, a second flexible elongated element attached to said second power for movement in reversible directions, a second pair of load engaging drive detents attached to said second flexible element, one of said second pair underlying said loads in said other row for moving said loads therein in said opposite longitudinal direction, the other of said second pair mounted at the other end of said rows for moving said loads in said opposite transverse direction, and means for selectively actuating said first and second drive means to intermittently move said loads through a rectangular path on said floor.